Customs enforcement as federal state capacity

The early cutter service gave the United States a practical way to secure federal customs revenue. Duties could support government only if ships could reach smugglers and enforce collection along the coast. This made the Revenue Cutter Service part of the federal state's basic capacity, far beyond a narrow policing role. Without dependable income, the fragile federation might have broken apart or become vulnerable to manipulation by larger European powers. Calling the modern ships the Heritage class connects them with vessels that helped keep the federal government financially viable.